While most of us were focused on family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday, Winnebago County Board members voted Nov. 22 to offer a bargain-basement deal for all major trash haulers. Our county is now the preferred provider of land to destroy for landfill use. From Chicago to Madison, to Milwaukee and everywhere in between, as long as you haul 1,001 tons per day, Winnebago County is your place to dump, thanks to a deal reached between Winnebago County and Winnebago Landfill Company, LLC, principal office listed at 1401 N. Second St., Rockford, on the Illinois Department of State’s website. William Charles Ltd. is at 1401 N. Second St., Rockford.

According to the Nonhazardous Solid Waste Management and Landfill Capacity in Illinois: 2010, document from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Winnebago Landfill took in more than 1.5 million tons of trash in 2010. The vote last Tuesday took the take in from host fees from $3.27/ton to $2.27/ton, giving Winnebago County around $1.5 million less in revenue a year at current dump rates. This new low rate will make Winnebago County a viable option for hauling trash from farther distances and more than likely increase the yearly yield tonnage rate.

Before this vote, the 433.5-acre landfill only had two more years of capacity; this vote requires a minimum of 20 years of capacity, making an expansion of the landfill a necessary future vote by the county. Residents living near the landfill need not worry as the landfill slowly creeps toward your home, as the county has required a Property Value Protection Plan in place created by the Winnebago Landfill.

Is it Winnebago County’s intent to push through as many projects benefiting William Charles before the landscape changing vote of 2012?How will Scott Christiansen handle such a loss in his political goodwill fund, or host fee account, used to improve the county and most recently voted to give back to William Charles in the form of road contracts?

It should be noted the vote was 24-1; Steve Schultz was the only no vote on this agreement.

From the Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2011, issue

One Comment

John

December 1, 2011 at 11:14 am

I am a Republican, however, this County Board in no way represents me or the majority of Republican voters. These so-called Republicans led by Scott Christianson are bought and paid for by William Charles Limited.

Much like our state is led by Democrats who are bought and paid for by unions.